Recently, Artist Daya got up close and personal with an intimate group of fans at a listening event in Columbia, SC. She shared snippets of some of her most popular hits, new music and inspirational tracks with members of Verizon‘s loyalty program, Verizon Up aka #VZUP, and discussed life events that inspired each song. The “I Wanna Know” singer knows just wants she wants and is ready to pursue her career full throttle after taking some time off to reflect and reevaluate life, and her course ahead. Daya is the true definition of hard work and determination, and she’s not letting anyone or anything get in her way.
Following the listening session and Q&A, fans got some one-on-one time with the pop star snapping photos and exchanging words of admiration.
Daya spoke with our brother site, Global Grind‘s Social Media Specialist and SFPL‘s very own, Gabriel Williams about her heartfelt single, “Safe”:
Part of what makes the program extra special is its collaborations with select music artists on intimate events with them and a small group of fans. Other rewards include early and expedited entry into concerts, as well as exclusive seating and premium experiences.
Thanks to Daya and Verizon for the wonderful experience!
Verizon is celebrating the one year anniversary of its revamped rewards program, Verizon Up, which gives customers exclusive access to sporting and music events, as well as everyday discounts on major brands like Amazon, HBO, Nordstrom and more.
As a way to show customers gratitude for their loyalty, Verizon Up is expanding its rewards offering to include thousands of discounts, up to 50% off, on dining and attractions that the entire family can enjoy with Local Offers. From BOGO offers at your local pizzeria to discounts on bowling and gym classes, Local Offers are available when and where you need them, with no credit required.
Here is a list of rewards being offered throughout August.
Everyday Rewards
Overstock
$5 Gift Card
Amazon
$5 Gift Card
Home Depot
$5 Gift Card
Plated
50% off 3 weeks
Starbucks
$5 Gift Card
StickerPop
One year free
Uber
50% off one ride
Bed Bath & Beyond
$5 Gift Card
TJX
$5 Gift Card
AMC
$5 Gift Card
BarGapnes and Noble
$5 Gift Card
Chilli’s
$5 Gift Card
Gap
$5 Gift Card
Apple
$5 Gift Card
Nike
$5 Gift Card
Panera Bread
$5 Gift Card
Pier 1
$5 Gift Card
Ulta Beauty
$5 Gift Card
Clear
4 Months Free
Framed and Matted
Premium Magazine Subscription
Opternative
50% off online glasses and contacts Rx
Magnus Trainer
6 months free chess training
Verizon
2GB of bonus data
Verizon
1GB of bonus data
Verizon
$10 Device Dollars
Verizon
$5 Device Dollars
Verizon
$30 off Hum of HumX
Bonus Rewards (no credits required)
Cheryls Cookies
35% off
Amazon Echo Show
$100 off
Amazon Echo Dot
$20 off
Uber
$50 off rides each month
Fuji Film
Canvas photo for $12
Agoda
10% off hotel stay
Care/of
50% off vitamins
Cloth & Paper
50% off subscriptions
Verizon
20% off accessories
Restaurant.com
$25 gift card
More About Verizon Up:
Verizon Up is breaking the mold and giving customers rewards they really, really want all for paying their bill. From once-in-a-lifetime experiences and VIP tickets to music and sporting events, to everyday rewards on dining, attractions and entertainment, this is Verizon’s way of saying thank you to customers.
How it works:
Verizon Up is simple – customers can enroll in Verizon Up through the My Verizon App and earn rewards by just paying their monthly bills. For every $300 a customer spends on their Verizon Wireless bills, they earn one credit that can be redeemed for rewards and experiences through the My Verizon app. There are a variety of rewards to choose from:
Everyday Rewards– Free services and discounts on some of today’s hottest brands including Amazon, Nike and more.
Verizon Rewards– Bonus data and discounts on Verizon devices and accessories.
Super Tickets– Exclusive access to the most sought after sporting events and concerts by top artists like Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Luke Bryan and more.
Plus, there are extras, offers and discounts. Just because.
Bonus Rewards– Bonus Rewards are extra perks you can get without using a credit. Like a cherry on top of what you already earn. New Bonus Rewards are added all the time, so check back frequently to see what’s new.
NEW: Local Offers– Everyday local offers anywhere customers go with up to 50% off dining and attractions. No credits required to enjoy.
To learn more about Verizon Up and the new Local Offers you can visit vzw.com/up or download the My Verizon app and get started today.
Verizon has partnered with Spotify to help make picking out the perfect gift a little easier this holiday season.
Launching today at www.vzw.com/playlist, the “Holiday Hintlists” are fun and specific, curated playlists that spell out what tech products consumers want for the holidays.
Users visit the site, select the Verizon gift they want – including smartphones, headphones, smartwatches, and connected home devices – and the experience generates a custom “hint” playlist on Spotify that users can share to their social channels.
Hundreds of curated playlists, featuring songs by artists including H.E.R., Outkast and more, are used to spell out playful, gift-request messages. Additional playlists will be added throughout the month of December.
The tool was created based on the insight that millennials create and share more playlists during the holiday season.
Last Tuesday, 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles and producer London On Da Track hosted a launch event for Verizon‘s #freestyle50 challenge, a national talent competition in search of the next voice of hip hop, at Marquee in New York City.
The exclusive, invite-only party featured performances by hip hop icons Busta Rhymes, DJ Enuff and DJ Freedom as well as the next generation of rap superstars, including Tee Grizzley, Smack White and Tre’ Da Kid, winner of the 2016 #freestyle50 challenge.
During the evening, Liles and London announced the grand prize for the competition –a single record deal with 300 Entertainment, $10,000 and an opening act slot on an upcoming 300 tour– and emphasized the importance of preserving the roots of hip hop culture and promoting positive self-expression through freestyle.
Now in its second year, the #freestyle50 challenge was inspired by Verizon’s 8GB for $50 prepaid offer available exclusively at Walmart. To enter, contestants must post a video of themselves freestyling over Tee Grizzley’s “No Effort” instrumental to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #freestyle50challenge and tagging @Verizon and @300Ent. The deadline for entries is August 4.
Eight national finalists will be selected to compete live at the #freestyle50 cypher in Los Angeles on August 30th, where the 2017 #freestyle50 challenge champion will be crowned.
Freestyle. The pulse of hip hop culture that fuels creativity, freedom and lyrical skill. In the beginning, freestyling refined the art of lyricism. Today, it takes on a new meaning, defining the way in which we pioneer our way through life. Freely, boldly and without boundaries.
To honor this movement, Verizon partnered with 300 Entertainment to find the nation’s best freestyle lyricist with the launch of the #Freestyle50 challenge. To celebrate, both companies kicked things off with a celebration for the new series that included special invited guests, artists, media, and industry tastemakers.
Hosted by LowKey of YouHeardThatNew.com and Beats1, Key Hosts Kevin Liles (300 Entertainment Co-Founder and music executive) & London on da Track (Music Producer and Songwriter), guests with performances included: Power 105.1‘s The Breakfast Club host, DJ Envy, along with A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dave East, Astro, Casanova, Maino, plus more.
Attendees were treated to light bites at NYC’s own Espace paired with specialty cocktails and music by DJ Envy.
The national competition will award seven aspiring artists the gig of a lifetime as opening acts across upcoming 300 Entertainment’s artist tours. They will then compete in a live, freestyle cypher event in Atlanta for a chance to win the grand prize of a single deal with 300 Entertainment and a cash prize of $10,000.
The #Freestyle50 challenge is providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to not only showcase their talents, but celebrate themselves and build upon their careers. Verizon and 300 Entertainment are encouraging people to freestyle about who they represent and how they are shaping and navigating culture – freestyling their way through life.
The #Freestyle50 challenge was inspired by Verizon’s 7GB for $50 prepaid offer exclusively at Walmart for a limited time.
Instructions: To enter, share a video on Twitter or Instagram freestyling to the instrumental of “Spend It” by Dae Dae using hashtag #freestyle50challenge and tagging @Verizon.
Verizon takes a stance to protect our young black men with a new visual that is bound to inspire other companies to do jus the same. Through their Innovative Learning sector, it challenges one to see what children are truly capable of — inspiration, creativity, brilliance.
The video is encouraging viewers never to underestimate or undervalue young men of color, and instead to see all young men as individuals who are infinitely capable of greatness.
Verizon’s technology in schools delivers on the promise that kids deserve a brighter future. All across the country we are providing technology and training to students and teachers to prepare the next generation of creators.
Check out the PSA above:
Help spread the word about it on social media, using #YouDontKnowMe and tagging @verizongiving.
The annual ESSENCE Festival took place in New Orleans, LA over the holiday weekend. Like previous year’s the festival included live musical performances, discussions, addresses, and so much more.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone
Among those in attendance this weekend was the NBA’s 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns, in partnership with Verizon took part in #VerizonInspires; which featured meet and greets, panel discussions, and of course music. In an effort to inspire tomorrow’s creators an innovative learning hub was created where attendees could tinker with the latest technological devices, charge up their phones, and win prizes.
Before Town’s sat down to talk with SFPL‘s own Gabriel Williams he oversaw a running man challenge face-off between a few of the teens in attendance. After wrapping up the brief competition the Minnesota Timberwolves center discussed partnering with Verizon, his experience with technology, and even divulged on who he was looking forward to seeing perform. Peep the full interview below and don’t forget to check out our recap of the ESSENCE Festival weekend.
What brings you here tonight?
I’m here helping Verizon with a mentoring program they have that teaches kids how to use technology to their advantage. You know technology is something that the culture and community is changing with, it’s become something of a necessity not even a luxury anymore. Just trying to teach these kids the technology that’s out there and also have them accommodate to it.
How familiar are you with technology? Can you build websites or do anything specific that we should know about?
Yes. I’ve been blessed to have a school system that’s helped me utilize technology to my advantage. Computer classes, typing, making websites, and having an after-school program that helped me learn how to use [technology] better. These things have tremendously helped me in my career.
Reaching this point in your career did you ever think you’d be working with Verizon? How does that feel?
You know it’s amazing. I’ve been a Verizon customer not even a brand ambassador since I was young. Since I had my first cellphone, I’ve had Verizon so it’s amazing to think that after all these years now I’m representing the company and it’s a blessing and an honor to represent such a great company that I personally use myself.
Is this your first time at ESSENCE Fest?
Yes, it’s my first time ever. Hopefully it won’t be my last.
Puff Daddy performs at the 2016 ESSENCE festival at the Superdome on July 3, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
Who are you looking forward to performing?
You know they have a lot of great performers. Andra Day killed it out there. Ciara is right now killing it. I’m really excited actually to see the last two. It’s more of my area, Puff Daddy and The Family. Being from the New York area that’s something that everyone grows up with. So Puff Daddy is big with us especially with BIG being a part of the group once upon a time. For me also Kendrick Lamar. I’m a big Kendrick Lamar fan. I can’t wait to see him perform live, I’ve never seen him perform live so it’s going to be a very cool experience.
What else can we expect from you? What do you have coming up?
I have a lot of new things in my toolbox. A lot of new tools. So I’m just going to utilize them to my advantage. I’m going to take those tools and you’re going to see a whole different player next year with the same type of game you saw last year.
If you were stuck on an island and you could only have three albums what albums would those be?
So I’m going to go the smart route. I’m going to take 2Pac Greatest Hits album the two disc set so that counts as one. I’ll take Chronic by Dr. Dre, and Good Kid Maad City by Kendrick. I’d put Drake’s Nothing Was The Same on there but I’d be too depressed the whole time being by myself. I need something to keep me going. I think those three. If I had honorable mentions I’d throw Kanye West Graduation and lastlyI would pick Ice Cube KKK Most Wanted.
Congrats to Towns on earning this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year award. We can’t wait to see him hit the court when the new season starts. As always, stay fly.
In today’s edition of companies do the darnedest things, Sprint is facing backlash after sharing a video of a customer referring to T-Mobile as “ghetto.”
The clip, which has been taken down is from one of Sprint CEOMarcelo Claure‘s Listening Tour sessions with customers across the country. In it Claure asks a customer what she thinks of T-Mobile.
“I’m going to tell you a carrier name, and I want you to basically tell me what comes to your mind. T-Mobile. When I say T-Mobile to you, just a couple of words?”
While it’s clear Sprint was attempting to shade one of its competitors, it clearly backfired as the tweets came pouring in calling bullsh** on the tasteless ad. Claure even attempted to save face by posting a tweet clarifying they were simply “sharing real comments from real customers” following the initial post.
“We’re sharing real comments from real customers. Maybe not the best choice of words by the customer. Not meant to offend anyone.”
Twitter wasn’t letting Sprint cop ignorance and held nothing back when it came to calling out the racist and classist ad.
@marceloclaure Yes, she said it. But then YOU chose to broadcast it out into the world. What a pathetic justification. #Brutal
Got to hand it to Verizon they saw their shot and took it!
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You can watch the ad in question below. Do you think the ad was racist and classist? Should Sprint have known better? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Verizon taps industry influencers: Actor/Host Terrence J, Actor Morris Chestnut, Artist Justine Skye and Actor/Artist Omarion for their HopeLine program to fight against Domestic Violence, which made it’s debut during this year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans. Today, the PSA goes viral nationally.
The special quartet are asking people to take action against domestic violence in a very simple way:
By donating a used wireless phone. Verizon is aiming to reach 1 million phone donations to their HopeLine program by the end of 2015. These phones are turned into vital resources for victims and survivors of domestic violence. For more information, please visit http://www.verizon.com/about/hopeline.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay and award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Professional football player William Gay and Orange Is The New Black‘s award-winning actress Uzo Aduba joined Verizon’s HopeLine program this week to take action against Domestic Violence. Together they announced a goal of collecting 1 million phones this year to support victims of domestic violence.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay, Verizon’s Rose Kirk, Safe Horizon’s Juanito Vargas and award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Joined with William and Uzo were Verizon Executive Rose Kirk, and Safe Horizon‘s Juanito Vargas. With the supporting quartet on-hand the event turned out to be quite the success, which brought an abundance of awareness to this major cause.
A little info on how Helpline works:
HopeLine provides ways for individuals to take action against domestic violence by donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any service provider. Verizon turns these resources into support for domestic violence organizations and programs nationwide.
Since its launch in October 2001, HopeLine has donated hundreds of thousands of phones and awarded millions of dollars in cash grants to non-profit organizations and agencies.
**Phones that are provided from Verizon has a tracker and spyware. That would be a phone the victim can keep on them at all times in case of any situation. Each phone has 3,ooo pre-paid minutes of air and text time.**
Rose Kirk spoke more about the initiative with SFPL:
We wanted to have a corporate social responsibility cause that allowed us to take Verizon’s assets and have a huge impact in society. We also wanted to be in a situation where we can actually help victims of domestic violence. We have a HUGE number of employees, whether they’re male or female that we know are probably going to be victims; if you look at the stats of 1 in 4 Women, 1 in 7 Men — so we knew that we had an opportunity. And that opportunity was to create a program where our assets could be used for good, and that’s how this program was created.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
William spoke with SFPL on why he participated this year:
I wanted to tell my mother’s story. Her story can help someone out there that are going through the same issues that she went through. And that’s why I wanted to join Verizon’s Hopeline Program. They wanted to get the point across about domestic violence, and that’s what i’m trying to do as well.
His advice to others that have been through domestic violence:
I would advise the victims to just open up about it. Open up about your story. It would help you and in return help someone else that may be going through the same situation; or know someone that’s going through the situation as well. The more we talk about it, the more people would feel comfortable about opening up, getting involved in different organizations, and getting the information that they need to seek help.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Uzo also spoke with SFPL on her reason for joining in on the cause:
I have a familiarity with domestic violence. So, the advice that I would give to other victims is: #1 – It’s not you fault. #2 – You are not to blame. I understand it’s hard to leave, but if you can find one strongly day, leave on that one strong day. JUST GO. Pack your things and go. It’s not worth it.
Uzo speaks on the recent happenings of the Baltimore Riots:
I think our president said it best when he recently gave his interview. He said something to the effect of; “I think our law enforcement needs to do some soul-searching, I think our community needs to do some soul-searching, and our country needs to do some soul-searching.” And I think he did a fine job at expressing that and I support that idea as well. I think that you can never run away from the truth.
Congrats to Verizon, Uzo, William, Rose, Juanito and others who participated in forming such a great cause! This is absolutely FLY!
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